10 NJ companies make Bloomberg’s 2023 gender-equality index (updated)

Ten corporations headquartered in New Jersey were named to the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI).

Released Jan. 31, the GEI – which tracks the performance of public companies committed to transparency in gender-data reporting – measures gender equality across five pillars: female leadership and talent pipeline, equal pay and gender pay parity, inclusive culture, anti-sexual harassment policies and pro-women brand.

Campbell Soup Co. Senior Vice President, Chief Culture Officer and Head of Talent Camille Pierce said the company is proud to be included in the index for a fifth consecutive year.

“An inclusive and diverse organization where all employees feel safe, valued and supported to do their best work drives performance and engagement,” she said.

Becton Dickinson and Co., marking its fourth year in a row on the GEI, believes the continued inclusion is a testament to ongoing efforts “to develop and invest in our employees around the world,” according to BD Vice President, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Engagement Nicole Thompson.

“Our commitment to gender equality is embedded in our culture through the policies and resources we offer, empowering our employees to grow personally and professionally,” Thompson said. “We continue to make significant progress with the representation of female leaders in our workforce and talent pipelines, which has driven greater mobility within the organization and increased retention.”

Susan Hardwick, chief executive officer and president of American Water, which is celebrating its fifth consecutive appearance on the index, said the utility company “is proud to again be included in the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, recognizing our longstanding commitment to gender equality throughout our company. Inclusion, diversity and equity are vital elements to our success, and we continually strive to build a better workplace where our people reflect the communities we are privileged to serve.”

Altogether, this year’s index is comprised of 484 companies with a combined market capitalization of $16 trillion headquartered in 45 countries across 11 sectors and 54 industries, according to Bloomberg.

Patricia Torres, global head of Bloomberg Sustainable Finance Solutions, said, “The GEI continues to identify areas of impact for companies, helping to facilitate meaningful change that, ultimately, will contribute to more innovation, creativity, and higher performance.”

“We cannot underscore the importance of leadership enough when looking to improve gender equality in the workplace,” added Torres. “Change can only be driven when diversity and inclusion are part of executive performance metrics.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 5:08 p.m. ET to remove the a company that is not headquartered in New Jersey.